OAKLAND — The Care Bears, specifically Funshine Bear, Cheer Bear, Share Bear and Bedtime Bear, along with Curious George, Garfield, Bob the Builder, Clifford, the Jetsons and many more of their animated pals will be striding and/or riding and/or floating along Broadway in downtown Oakland Saturday afternoon.... the four Care Bears will serve as grand marshals for the annual parade themed, "America's Children's Parade," which begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at Broadway and 11th Street.

Ninety entries including 14 giant balloons, 10 colorful floats, 18 marching bands, the Raiderettes, the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, equestrians, clowns and Santa will then make their way up Broadway to 20th Street, turn on 20th over toward Lake Merritt and finish the parade at Harrison Street.

Organizers, pleased by a delightful weather forecast for the day, expect more than 60,000 spectators at the free event.

Let's see now...

Crowds? checkLoud noise? checkSanta? checkMy usual stomping grounds invaded by tens of thousands of celebrators, including small children? checkAdulation of corporate mass-media entertainment? checkAnything to do with the Raiders? checkClowns? check